Port travel to Mold to kick off campaign
PORTHMADOG kick off their seventh successive season in the Huws Gray Alliance with a visit to Mold Alexandra this Saturday.
Craig Papirnyk’s men have experienced a mixed build-up to the 2016/17 campaign, losing – like local rivals Caernarfon Town – all three of their matches against Welsh Premier opposition in Aberystwyth (1-3), Bangor City (1-3) and Llandudno (0-2).
However, Port did better in wins versus Llandyrnog United (5-0), Llangefni Town (1-0), a young Wrexham XI (6-1) and Carno (5-0), while losing narrowly to Oswestry (3-4).
Manager Papirnyk has signed strikers Chris Jones from Bangor City, the all-action Ywain Gwynedd, defenders Iolo Hughes, Tomos Clarke and Daniel Roberts and left-sided specialist Cai Parry.
Gareth Jones Evans and Rob Evans have also recently returned, while midfielder Iwan Lewis has left the Traeth.
Last Saturday saw Port go down 2-0 to a Llandudno side which competed in the Europa League this summer, having finished third in their first campaign in the Welsh Premier League.
It was a game in which Port had a great deal of possession, but few clear-cut chances were created despite this.
In the first half, Julian Williams went close with an effort he pulled across the face of goal, and moments later Asa Hamilton headed just over following a cross from the right flank.
On 38 minutes the deadlock was broken when an accurate pass from midfield released Lewis Buckley, who scored low past Richard Harvey from 15 yards.
On the stroke of half-time Gareth Jones Evans fired a great shot just inches over the bar with the keeper beaten.
The second half was a turgid affair with few chances of note, but it was against the run of play when on 78 minutes Llandudno’s Gareth Evans made it 2-0.
As so often Port passed the ball well but with very little final product. This is a problem which must be solved in the season ahead if the Traeth men are to make a significant impact in the Huws Gray Alliance.